Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

I t was dawn on a morning that, given the mist from the night before, had cleared up rapidly. The sun was bright overhead and the sky was a brilliant blue with the scent of the sea heavy upon the air. In the bailey of Berwick Castle, which smelled heavily of smoke from the morning fires, gulls cried overhead as the de la Mere escort prepared to depart.

Amaury's body was strapped to a wagon loaned to them by Cole, tightly wrapped in oiled canvas and secured for the journey home. They had six soldiers with them and an old sergeant who was now the commander of their escort. Even so, the old soldier had four high-caliber de Velt knights helping him with his very small escort, making sure the body was secured, making sure the ladies' palfreys were ready, and any number of smaller details. All these things, that one or two men could have easily secured, still had Julian, Cole, Anteaus, and Ashton going over to assist the escort.

Flora and Meadow stood with Kellington, looking forlorn and pale. While Flora wept into her kerchief, Meadow and Kellington spoke softly between them, even holding hands at one point. Addington stood with Lista, who was watching the preparations grimly. She'd spent a sleepless night with the impact of what had happened haunting her dreams, the death of a man she'd known more than half her life. Part of that sleepless night involved taking everything her mother and Flora had purchased from the apothecary and burning it. Every single thing they'd procured was in ashes. When Flora slapped her for her actions, Lista slapped her aunt hard enough to send the woman to her knees.

She utterly, completely blamed Flora for Amaury's death.

And Flora knew it.

Therefore, there was trouble brewing on this morning as well, with Flora's mood and Lista's morose countenance. It wouldn't take much for things to explode between them, another reason why they were standing so far apart. Lista wouldn't even look at her aunt and she would barely look at her mother while Addington kept silent vigil with her new friend.

A friendship, Lista was sure, would be over the moment they left the gates of Berwick.

"I did not yet thank you for the loan of your beautiful blue dress," Lista said, simply to make conversation. "You have many beautiful garments with such lovely embroidery. Did you do that?"

Addington looked at her, sliding her hand through the crook of her elbow because it was the first time all morning that Lista had spoken more than two words.

Addington took it as an invitation.

"Some of it," she said. "I've always liked to embroider, but what you saw is my mother and sister's handiwork. They sew beautifully."

Lista smiled weakly. "It's very beautiful," she said. "You were very kind to let me have my pick."

Addington looked her up and down, as she was now back in the rather plain dress she'd come to Berwick in. "You could have worn it home," she said. "In fact…"

She trailed off, turning to her mother and calling to the woman. It seemed to be some kind of secret signal between them because Kellington broke away from Meadow, making her way to her daughter.

"Mama?" Addington said. "Mayhap you should tell Lady Lista what we have decided."

Kellington turned to Lista, a smile on her face. "My lady," she said quietly. "Since you have lost your knight, Julian and Ashton have volunteered to escort you home. Addington would like to accompany you also if you are agreeable. They thought it would make the trip easier for you during this troubling time. Will you allow us to assist since it was our fault that you lost your knight?"

Lista looked at her in surprise. "Your fault, my lady?"

Kellington nodded. "The railing was removed because it was rotted," she said. "Had it not been removed, there would have been something there to prevent your knight from falling to his death, so truly, you must let us help you. We feel responsible."

Lista had to admit that she was floored by the request. She looked between Addington and her mother, at a loss for words. They were both gazing back at her, so very kindly. So very warmly. These people whom she'd only just met were people who treated her as if she were an old and dear friend. She'd never met such selfless and open individuals.

Finally, she shook her head in awe.

"Since the moment we have met, everything has been disastrous on our part," she said. "We have had trouble and tragedy and I have found myself making excuses because of it. You must think we are pathetic, indeed, but I promise you that we are not usually."

Kellington smiled. "I believe you," she said. "Trust me when I say we have all had our problematic events but it is never so unfortunate than in front of someone who does not know you well."

Lista sighed, hoping that she really meant it. "Thank you for understanding, my lady," she said. "I feel as if I have done nothing but make excuses since I have known you, but when my mother is involved… you can understand that I must take care of her, even if it is to protect your fond memories of her."

Kellington's smile grew and she touched Lista's cheek gently. "You are a kind and loving daughter," she said. "Your mother is very fortunate to have you. I will come and visit in a few weeks to see how your mother is faring. I did not have a chance to speak with her while she was here, so I will speak to her another time. It may help her to speak to another woman who has suffered the same loss as she has."

Lista was so overwhelmed by the kindness that tears stung her eyes. "You are so very kind, my lady, thank you," she said. "And… and if you are sure it is not too much trouble, I will accept your offer of an escort. Felkington is not too terribly far, but it will be reassuring to have knights to protect us on our journey."

"And me," Addington said, squeezing her arm. "I will be on your journey, too."

Lista giggled. "And you," she said. "Can you use a sword?"

Addington laughed. "I cannot," she said. "But I can tell stories to entertain you."

"I would like that," Lista said. "Felkington is truly no more than a half-day's ride from here, so you can stay the night if you wish and return on the morrow."

Addington's face fell. "I was hoping to stay longer than that," she said. "I like to visit new places. Can I stay longer than just the night?"

Lista was overjoyed at the thought of someone other than her mother and aunt to speak to. A young woman, the same age, someone who very much wanted to be her friend. She should have been guarded, at least a little, because the madness that those at Berwick had seen from Meadow and Flora was just the beginning. It would be worse at home. But Lista didn't have the heart to refuse Addington a visit because, in truth, Addington had been very friendly since nearly the moment they met and for a lonely young woman like Lista, that was almost too good to believe.

"I would be honored," she said after a moment. "But you should know that my days are full of work. I am chatelaine of Felkington, so there is much to do on a daily basis. There is not much time for much else."

Addington's smile was back. "I don't care," she said. "I am sure we can find lots of things to do when you are not busy."

With that, she dashed off to collect the satchel she'd packed, rushing towards the keep in a rush of swishing fabric and dark hair. As Lista watched her run off, Kellington spoke softly.

"She has an older sister to whom she is very close," she said. "My middle daughter, Effington, was married a few years ago and Addie has missed her terribly. Do not be surprised if she has elected you to be her new sister and confidante."

Lista looked at her, smiling. "Is that why she has been so terribly friendly?"

Kellington nodded. "Exactly."

"So it was not my charm that convinced her that she wanted to be my friend?"

Kellington laughed softly. "I'm sure that has a great deal to do with it," she said. "But she misses Effie so very much. I hope you do not mind that she has invited herself to travel home with you."

Lista shook her head. "Not in the least," she said. "I… I do not have any friends, not since my brother died and my mother became… grieved. My mother has taken all of my time."

Kellington's gaze moved to Meadow and Flora, who were standing rather pale and dejected as the last of the escort was prepared.

"I will see what I can do," she said softly. "I know what it is to mourn the great love of your life. I know what it is to lose a son when… well, suffice it to say that I understand her sorrow. Mayhap I can help."

There was something painful in the way she spoke about the loss of a love that had Lista taking a second look. Lady de Velt was beautiful and kind, with genuine warmth in her eyes, but as she spoke of a lost love… something dimmed in those brown eyes. Something that spoke of unbearable grief. But she quickly recovered, smiling at Lista when she realized the woman was looking at her.

Lista smiled back.

"I know my mother would love to see you again," she said. "Truthfully, you will be a much better influence than my aunt. My mother needs the companionship and my aunt is a terrible influence. The excessive drink, the fungi, the potions…"

Kellington nodded in understanding. "Your aunt must be very lonely, too."

"She is, but instead of doing something constructive or benevolent, she tries to destroy herself and my mother along with her."

"And you try your best to prevent that from happening."

Embarrassed, Lista nodded. "You must think that I complain terribly," she said. "It seems that all I have done is tell you of our problems. I did not mean to, I swear it, but I thought you deserved an explanation as to why things are the way they are."

Kellington patted her on the arm. "Not every family is perfect," she said. "You do not need to explain. But I do hope things get better."

"Thank you, my lady."

The flash of armor caught her attention and she turned to see Julian and Ashton as they came riding up on their warhorses. Julian looked exactly the way he did when Lista had met him the day before– enormous, built for war. He was a de Velt, after all, and even if she knew very little about the family itself, she knew enough to know that if there was a battle, they were in the middle of it.

That included Julian.

Lista was so involved in watching the man that she failed to see the carriage that had been brought forth from the stables. It was a small carriage with a small cab, with wooden sides fortified with strips of iron, a door on one side of it, and small windows that looked out from either side.

Kellington grasped Lista by the hand.

"Come, my lady," she said. "I thought it might be more comfortable for you to ride in my carriage. It really is quite comfortable– there are two cushioned benches, enough for four women to ride quite happily together. It will also be much safer."

She had reached the carriage by that time, pulling open the iron latch on the door and revealing an extremely comfortable cab inside. The walls were lined with brocade and there were two small, cushioned couches facing one another. Awed, Lista stuck her head in to get a good look at it.

"It's beautiful," she said. "I have never seen anything like it."

Kellington grinned. "Get in," she said. "I will bring your mother and aunt."

Lista did. She climbed into the carriage and sat down on the couch facing forward. There was a small window next to her, enough for ventilation but not enough for anyone to climb inside should there be trouble. She sat down but as she did so, an enormous hand reached in and took the satchel she'd been carrying. Startled, she looked up to see Julian standing in the doorway.

"Where did you come from?" she said. "The last I saw, you were on your horse."

She couldn't see his face because his helm was on. "I still am," he told her, heaving the satchel onto the top of the carriage, which contained a big, locked box that was bolted to the top of the cab. "You do not see me."

He was jesting with her and Lista fought off a grin. "A pity," she said. "I thought it was my friend, Julian, but I suppose I am mistaken. Mayhap you shall be my new friend instead."

The helmed head turned to her. "No one but me shall be your new friend," he said. "Remember that."

"I thought you weren't Julian?"

His helm was on but it wasn't secured yet, so he bent over and pulled it off, revealing his handsome face set within his hauberk.

And his hair wasn't covering his right eye.

"There," he said. " Now do you recognize me?"

Lista started laughing. "I do," she said. "I've not had the chance to bid you a good morn."

He smiled, his dimples deep. "Good morn, my lady," he said. "Are you feeling… better this morning?"

He meant after such a horrific night and Lista struggled to maintain her smile. "I do not know yet," she said. "But I will tell you a secret."

"What is it?"

"Knowing you are escorting us home makes me feel better already."

He was still smiling, though her gentle flirt had him shifting nervously. "Did you think I would simply let you go and not do what I could to assist you?"

"I did not think that, but I am glad we are traveling together," she said. "Your sister will be my guest for a few days, it seems. You are also welcome to stay if you wish. I am sure Addington will need an escort home when she decides to return, so you may as well stay unless you have pressing duties elsewhere."

It was an unexpected, but not unwelcome, invitation and his cheeks flushed in the slightest. Mostly because he very much wanted to accept. He'd spent his life being shunned one way or another, so an invitation from a lovely young woman had his heart fluttering.

"I do not have pressing duties elsewhere, at least not for the moment," he said. "I accept your invitation."

Lista grinned at him and he grinned back, but it was an embarrassed sort of grin and quite charming. But Lista was precluded from saying anything further when Kellington arrived at the carriage with her mother and aunt. They climbed in, lethargically, and sat on the couch facing backwards in the cab. Neither one of them were happy, with aching heads and bellies from everything they'd ingested the day before.

"Do not forget, Meadow," Kellington said. "I will see you in a few days for a nice, long visit. I am looking forward to it."

Meadow smiled weakly. "As am I," she said. "I am so glad to have seen you again, Kelli. I hope this means we shall not lose touch again."

"We won't, I promise," Kellington said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. Just as she did so, she was buffeted by Addington, who had just arrived. She shoved her satchel at Julian and climbed into the cab, pushing past her mother as she sat next to Lista. "Ah, Addie is here. Safe journey to you all, ladies. I shall see you soon."

Addington waved at her mother, excited to be going on a new adventure, as Kellington stepped back and Julian shut the door and bolted it. They could hear the knights outside the carriage, mostly Julian, shouting orders to the escort and Lista realized that not only were the knights accompanying them home, but there were evidently about forty de Velt soldiers coming as well.

It made for quite a secure escort.

The carriage lurched forward and the rocking motion had Meadow and Flora sleeping before they'd even left the village of Berwick. As the pair snored away, Addington pulled out a deck of painted cards and she and Lista settled down to a card game where each player had to come up with card combinations totaling the number ten and setting those cards aside until there were no more cards left.

Lista had never played it before and it was a lovely way to pass the hours until they reached Felkington Castle on a rather clear and blustery day, but no matter how focused they were on the game and their conversation, Lista kept her ears open for a certain young knight who seemed to be riding directly next to the carriage. Every time she looked up from her card came and to the window behind Addington, she could see Julian there.

In spite of the cargo they carried, it turned out to be one of the more enjoyable trips home.